Sloan Burton stepped onto the court for her West Coast Fever debut in round two, earning a unique place in the club's history. She followed in the footsteps of her mother, Julie-Ann Burton (nee Sloan), becoming the first mother-daughter combination for the WA side.
The 24-year-old was not even born when her mother retired in 1999 after 32 games in three seasons for the Perth Orioles as a midcourter. Initially a keen basketballer, Sloan has developed into one of the most promising shooters in Super Netball as a training partner with Fever, coming through their academy program.
Sloan got her chance in the side when she was called up to cover for injured goal attack Olivia Wilkinson. Coach Dan Ryan had no qualms about throwing her into the mix against premiership contenders Adelaide Thunderbirds early in the season.
"It felt really surreal. I have been around a while so it was special to get out there and have a go," Sloan said. "At the time I wasn't thinking much, I had a job to do and Dan was set on what that was, so I knew I had to get out there and just do that. I knew I wanted to play in Super Netball and having Mum play for the same club was just really special."
Julie-Ann, a former co-captain of the Orioles, said she was incredibly proud of her daughter after all the hard work paid off. "It was so emotional. And not just for the family, but for a full circle for netball in WA, this just shows how far the (state) program has come," she said. "I never had that (Sloan playing for Fever) in my thought process, but when she started to develop really well we thought maybe she would if that's what she wants."
Now that Sloan has had a taste of top-level action, her goals have become clearer than ever. "I am still pining for a Super Netball contract, so if that was at Fever it would be amazing," she said. "I've learned so much from Dan in the space of being a training partner under him for three years. My game has developed so much. My craft and confidence to turn to post is something he really hones in on all our shooters."
